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Thursday, 25 April 2013

Anzac Day

The big day is finally here - the 25th of April - the 98th anniversary for the landing of Aussie and Kiwi at Gallipoli. We got up at 2:18am!!! And proceeded downstairs to have breakfast (more of a midnight snack). I least I think we did because I was to tired and delirious to remember.

It was very dark, cold and misty when we arrived at the Australian National War Memorial for the dawn service. And to think this is only their spring. I can't even begin to imagine the hardships the Australian men and women went through here in winter all those years ago! The sun rose over the memorial as we watched the ceremony from only the 6th row back. As there were about 6000 people here - row 6 wasn't bad!

It was a very moving service. My eyes got a bit watery at times - especially at the reading by an Australian War Widow. The letter of a worried mother searching for her "missing" son's whereabouts. Her son who had died nearly 6 months ago.

Here the band plays Waltzing Matilda.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

It was also goodbye to Vestie (Slyvestre) and Estelle - our wonderful tour guides. We saw them off with a poem each, Anzac biscuits and a promise to visit again soon!